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Crossland Construction Red Iron Award Winner

Hard working, Passionate, Dedication – words to describe Brian Denney.

He exemplifies what it means to be a Crossland Construction employee.

So what do most people think of when they hear Brian Denney’s name? 

”His laugh,” DJ McClenny said. 

“His damn laugh,” Aaron Drain said. 

“You can’t mention Brian without thinking about his laugh,” Grant Goodwin said. 

Ok, so what’s up with this laugh?

“It’s this deep down belly laugh,” Goodwin, Project Manager, said. “It’s not like a deep voice kind of thing, but this cackling laugh.”

Drain, Superintendent, also described it as a “cackle” that “no one can imitate.”

“If you’ve ever heard it,” he said, “there’s definitely no denying, once you hear it, exactly who it is. We were at a restaurant one time, and he busted out laughing. This guy comes up to him and says, ‘Is your wife a nurse?’ He knew Brian from his laugh.”

His laughter and personable spirit, coupled with his boundless devotion to the Crossland team, earned Denney this year’s Red Iron Award. Each year, this honor is given to a single employee who represents the values and work ethic of our company’s founder, Ivan “Red Iron” Crossland Sr.

“The ultimate compliment here that someone could be given is that grandpa would have been proud of you,” said Mattie Crossland, Ivan Sr.’s granddaughter and Director of Crossland Realty. “Winning this award means that not only would grandpa have been proud of you, but he would have told you himself that you’re doing a hell of a job.”

“I was very excited and proud when I won the Red Iron award, said Denney. I know the quality of people who have received this award, so for me, it was truly a blessing and a milestone in my career. I can’t thank Crossland enough for what they have done for me to get me where I am today.”

McClenny, Vice President for Wichita, said Denney is deserving of the award for many reasons.

“First, it’s his ability to see the big picture,” he said. “He can step back out of a situation, analyze it, get into the details, and figure it out. At the same time, he has amazing attention to detail. He’s also a relationship builder, and that just helps the whole job go smoothly.” 

Drain said Denney is “super sharp in the field.”

“He wants to be the best at whatever he’s doing,” Drain said. “He wants to learn everything he can.”

Aaron Drain

Superintendent

To Drain’s surprise, that also includes tennis.

“The first time I met Brian, I thought that this guy is an athlete,” he said. “Come to find out, he may be the Roger Federer of Independence, Kansas. If it wasn’t for working at Crossland, he might be at Wimbledon.”

Of course, hearing that would probably make Denney laugh … err, cackle. Which, of course, would make everyone else laugh, too.

“It’s contagious,” Goodwin said.

When Brian isn’t hard at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their three kids, Aiden (16), Allie (13), and Abbott (9). When they’re not busy with their kid’s sporting events, they like being outdoors hunting and fishing.

It’s All About The Concrete

“It’s all about the concrete. When you get to the jobsite, you hop out of the truck as soon as you hear that concrete truck coming. Concrete won’t wait for you.”

Communication is critical on any construction project. A crew has to talk and be on the same page. For the concrete crew of Octabio Arellano, Alberto Arellano, and Alfonso Sandoval, that part just comes naturally.

“We’re all from the same area,” Alberto said. “We all know each other, and we’ve got that chemistry. Sometimes you don’t even have to say anything, and you can just give each other a look, and you know what’s being said. We’re locked in.”

His brother, Octabio, said teamwork is driven mainly by the shared goal of doing their best while completing projects.

“We all give 100 percent no matter the circumstances,” he said. “Seeing the project completed is super rewarding.”

Ben Hill, Crossland’s Concrete Division Manager, praised the crew for their teamwork and dedication.

“Octabio and his crew are hard working, dedicated, and always willing to take on difficult projects. They do quality work and a fantastic job. I’m lucky to have them.”

Ben Hill

Concrete Division Manager

Alberto said the crew doesn’t have a “typical day” on a jobsite. It all depends on the project and, of course, the main ingredient.

“It’s all about the concrete,” he said. “When you get to the jobsite, you hop out of your truck as soon as you hear that (concrete) truck coming. Concrete won’t wait on you.” 

Octabio said he enjoys the variety of jobs that Crossland provides.

“It could be a quick and easy day, or it could be a long and exhausting day,” he said. “It just depends on the concrete.”

The brothers also praised Crossland for the care shown to employees.

“It’s a great company,” Octabio said. “They take care of you, just like family.”

Alberto said he’s motivated by how Crossland rewards employees for their hard work.

“If you try hard, try to improve, the raise is there,” he said. “There are lots of opportunities here. It’s a good job, man, and it’s a good living.”

Why Construction Costs Are Going Up – What Can We Do About Them?

Whether you’re replacing older pumps, filling cracks in an access road or driveway, or managing a treatment plant project, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that material prices have been on the rise. Many of us cast blame on the pandemic but are wondering why prices are still rising, seemingly faster than ever.

Two years ago, the main reasons for price increases were driven by the needs of the specific project itself – higher permitting costs due to stricter regulations, higher insurance costs due to the nature of the project risk, higher labor costs due to the complexity or higher safety risk of the project, and so on. But now, the reasons for price increases are compounded.

Reasons for cost increases post-COVID:

  • Material cost escalations
  • Producer Price Index (PPI) increases
  • Labor cost escalations (due to high demand for labor)
  • Regional shortage of CDL drivers
  • Construction demand greater than labor pool
  • Equipment delivery delays
  • Material shortages
  • Uncertainties

Let’s dive deeper into a couple of these reasons.

First, what even is PPI?

Producer Price Index (PPI) is a gauge of inflation released monthly by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics that measures increases to raw material costs faced by the producers of goods and services. The higher the price of the raw materials, the higher the cost to produce the end product, and, therefore, the more impact it has to overall project cost.  

These cost increases in raw materials take time to hit the cost of products and create a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Many of the reasons producer-faced costs are rising are the same reasons construction costs are rising – labor shortages, unavailability of raw materials, fuel and other consumable price increases, and so on. Now that available infrastructure funding has increased, the number of projects has also increased, so materials and labor are spread thinner than ever and are unable to keep up, causing costs to rise.

Let’s take a look at the PPI increases for some of the most essential construction materials over the past two years:

Material Total Percent Increase Jan 2020 – Jan 2022Percent Increase per Year
Cement & Concrete Product Manufacturing11.89%
5.76%
Plywood76.49%32.85%
Iron & Steel99.26%41.16%
Copper Wire & Cable32.97%15.31%
Aluminum Mill Shapes31.99%14.89%
Table 1: Data in this table was taken from St. Louis FED at www.fred.stlouisfed.org

Do you have a construction project coming up?

Next, let’s talk about uncertainties – everyone’s favorite COVID buzzword. As we’re gathering supplier quotes to prepare for Bid Day, we’re hearing things no one wants to hear:

  • Prices guaranteed for Bid Day only and are subject to change afterward.
  • Purchase agreements must be signed on Bid Day.
  • Delivery dates will not be guaranteed.
  • Prices will only be guaranteed when the product hits the ground at the jobsite.

These uncertainties can mean a lot of risk – financial, project, and schedule risk – for the contractor, engineer/architect, and owner to take on. So, what can we do about it?

We can plan ahead and we can stay flexible. And, while there is no one-size-fits-all solution, we’ve found if we focus on these items, we have the best chance for a successful project.

Planning ahead:

  • Identify and order long lead time items as early as possible.
    • Watch PPIs for the products you need to purchase.
      • Purchase materials on the rise ASAP and store them onsite or at one of our facilities.
      • Wait to purchase materials with a falling PPI.
    • Sequence construction activities in a way that allows us to complete everything we can before the long lead time items arrive.
    • Consider delaying or accelerating your project, depending on the project necessity and the variability in the market.
    • Update your GMP or Opinion of Probable Cost immediately before sending your project out to bid so you have a better idea of what to expect.
    • Write bid packages in a way that protects you as much as possible from material escalations.

Staying flexible:

  • Factor both equipment costs and delivery times into your project schedule expectations.
    • Research and consider alternative materials of construction.
      • For pipe-heavy treatment plant projects, compare different pipe materials (ductile iron, steel, concrete, and PVC) where your applications can be flexible.
      • For plants or pump/lift stations with large electrical scopes, have your electrician price both aluminum and copper wire so you can compare the costs.
      • For a new administration building or lab, consider different exterior materials such as CMU or precast.  
    • Research multiple qualified equipment manufacturers and add them to your specification.
    • Put a price tag on quality – is the filet mignon worth it, or can I live with chicken?
    • Put a price tag on operations and maintenance – perhaps it’s more cost-effective to bring the project scope up to standards now but replace it later with better when the items are more affordable.
    • Be sensible with your cost decisions and work efficiently.

We take pride in providing solutions for our clients and working as a team to come up with the best path forward. When times are uncertain, you need a partner that you trust more than ever to build your project.

Do you have a construction project coming up? Let’s talk about how we can help you plan ahead and create project flexibility.

Arkansas Division Awarded Four ABC Awards

ABC Arkansas Chapter announced this year’s Excellence in Construction Award Winners. Crossland Construction took home EIC Awards for the following projects:

Commercial: $15M – $20M – Transplace Building
Commercial: $40M – $45M – Founders Plaza
Community/Public Service: $10M – $15M – Osage Park
Other Construction: Over $50M – Crystal Flats

Congratulations to all of our crews on a job well done!

ABC’s Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality Merit Shop construction projects. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect, and engineer.

Going Above & Beyond

Rachelle Camacho does not like to say no. There’s nothing she can’t figure out. And, she always gets the job done!

Rachelle was recently promoted to Real Estate Property Manager from her role of Special Projects / Talent Acquisition in the Wichita office. But ask anyone who knows her, and they’ll tell you her contributions go way beyond the titles. 

“Her ability and willingness to jump in and do something she hasn’t done before is what makes her special,” said DJ McClenny, Vice President for Wichita. 

“At Crossland, we’re always looking for someone to step in and fill gaps we may have in certain areas, and Rachelle has fit that role in so many instances.”

Camacho is not one to seek or even enjoy recognition, but that didn’t stop the Wichita Business Journal from naming her in their 2021 Women in Business list. This recognition spotlights the Wichita area’s top women professionals “who see to it that their companies succeed while also pushing through barriers in their careers to achieve.”

Mattie Crossland, Crossland’s Director of Real Estate, said Camacho is the prime example of someone who continues to push herself to grow and achieve at higher levels.

“Her tenacity really stands out,” Crossland said. “She can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to. And not only will she do it, but she’ll also go above and beyond every time. Her passion, persistence, and dedication are what really set her apart.”

That tenacity recently led Camacho to earn her Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification from the International Facility Management Association. She told us that conquering a challenging task like the FMP is the biggest reward.

She likes challenging work and learning new things. A “typical” workday isn’t for her, which is probably why she never has one.

“I like the diversity of my job,” she said. “No day is ever the same. It’s how I work, and it’s a challenge, but I love it. I feel like a sponge sometimes. I enjoy consuming as much information and responsibility as I can.”

We asked her to list a few things she works on in any given week—and the answer took awhile.

“Facility management, warranty management, works with our Realty Group, HR generalist, talent acquisition and recruitment, project staffing and manpower movements…,” she said, knowing there is more, but she’ll stop there. “It makes my job unique, and I juggle it all as it comes.”

McClenny praised Camacho’s willingness to wear different hats and her ability to do it all at the highest level.

“She understands the big picture,” he said. “She knows the general direction of things and is aware of the ins and outs. You don’t teach that. She just has that unique ability to understand everything put in front of her. She digs into it and helps solve problems.” 

Rachelle is definitely someone you want on your team. Thank you for mastering the art of multi-tasking and being the ultimate rockstar!

Pay It Forward

Jeremiah Schneiter proves that diligence, being a team player, and hard work can put you on a fast track in your career.

Jeremiah Schneiter heard all the catchy phrases about Crossland before he started here.

“Promote from within” was one. “Family-oriented” was another. The type of phrases you might see on a billboard. “What was really cool was seeing those phrases put into practice here,” stated Schneiter. At Crossland, you see their core values being lived out, and I saw it in how I was promoted.”

Schneiter, now a superintendent and mentor, started at Crossland six years ago as a carpenter. A hard worker who likes to learn, he quickly found himself wanting to know more and achieve more. Less than a year into his Crossland career, he tested out of the Crossland Academy Apprenticeship Program. 

The Apprenticeship Program provides educational opportunities to employees while they’re working full time. It aims to “fast track” employees to career advancement within the company. Mark Robinson, Crossland Trade Instructor explains that, “while you’re working through the coursework, you’re also using the knowledge you’re gaining to take on more responsibility on the job site. You get to apply what you’re learning through the Crossland Academy in real time.”

Schneiter is a prime example of the value and power of advancement through continuing education.

“Jeremiah quickly jumped into the culture of Crossland,” DJ McClenny, VP of our Wichita Division, said. “He already had a great skill set when he came here, but he needed a little education to fill some gaps. He dug right into it and at one time had the record for the most education hours in a single year.”

That dedication to learning and the company helped Schneiter quickly advance into an assistant superintendent role. A year later, he was promoted to superintendent. He is now paying it forward by serving as a mentor to new employees who want to advance, just as he did.

“It’s rewarding getting to work with guys in the same position I was in,” he said. “I enjoy getting to guide them along and watch their journeys progress. It’s a long path that takes constant effort, but you get out what you put in. It’s all about keeping yourself motivated and keeping your eye on the end goal.”

Schneiter said the educational opportunities Crossland provides are rare in the construction industry.

“You can learn and grow so quickly here,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like this at another company.”

McClenny said Schneiter has been essential to helping new Crossland employees in Wichita succeed.

“He’s leading people and has been instrumental to new employee onboarding,” he said. “That’s a big deal for new employees. He’s also been great in making sure we have local mentors in the Wichita division.”

McClenny said that Schneiter’s story is used to motivate employees in our apprenticeship and mentorship program.

“If you’re looking for advancement, stick with it,” McClenny said. “It works.”